Consumer Groups Urge Rejection Of CL&P Proposed Rate Hike

AARP Connecticut and Connecticut Consumer Action Group (CCAG) are urging residents to contact the state’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and tell them to reject what they call an “unfair and unreasonable” rate request by the Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) that would increase an individual customer’s bill by an average of $150 a year.

According to AARP State Advocacy Director, John Erlingheuser, “If you live in a town serviced by Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) and the company has its way, you’ll end up shelling out more of your hard-earned money to pay your electric bill – with the bulk being charged before you turn on a single light.”

Right now, PURA is considering CL&P’s request for a $231.5 million rate hike that would increase each customer’s bill by an average of $150 a year by:

1) Raising a customer’s fixed monthly charge by $114 a year. This means customers will pay $114 more for electricity, regardless of how much electricity they use, or how much energy they conserve to try to keep their bills low.

2) Increasing the cost of kWh/month so that, on average, customers will pay an extra $35.76 a year. Kilowatt hours per month are based on the amount of electricity a customer uses.

CCAG Director Tom Swan said, “Connecticut residents already pay some of the highest electric rates in the country. Now they are being asked to pay more whether they use any electricity or not. If you’ve had enough of high electric rates, now is the time to speak up and make your voice heard.”

“AARP is fighting hard against unfair rate hikes, but we need residents who will be impacted by this increase to raise their voices before CL&P raises their rates,” said Erlingheuser.

AARP and CCAG are urging residents to take action by attending an upcoming public hearing, or sending an email to PURA to oppose the rate hike. AARP has set up a special “Action Page” where residents can submit an electronic letter directly to PURA. The URL is: http://action.aarp.org/CTFightBack

After our electric bills for the winter of 2013 averaged 330.00 monthly we are OUTRAGED that this utility company is looking for a 14% rate increase. We live in a state that is squeezing its citizens pockets constantly and while younger folks can up and leave for greener pastures we almost retirement age folks are suffering even in a two pay check family. Enough already!

If consumers in CT had other electrical companies to choose from, I wouldn’t care too much about this requested hike in fees. If I couldn’t afford it, I would just choose another company to supply my electricity more cheaply. But, we do not have this option. It is time for CL&P to reinvest in it’s company with the profits they ALREADY HAVE, instead of always looking to the customers to bail them out. Raising fees for the customers should always be a last resort. Electricity is not a luxury anymore, it is a necesity. If we do not have a choice in who provides our electricity, then we MUST have a choice when it comes to how much we are charged for it. Fair is fair!!!